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This
issue has brightened my February gloom amid inconsistent groundhog
prognostications, and I trust it will still be appreciated as the
vernal equinox arrives. I think it strikes a chord because it
reflects the authorsí enthusiasm and passion for their pursuits,
however various, and their love of exploration and learning.

Our
special section focuses on the Global Information Village Plaza (aka
Global Plaza), a Special Interest Group/International Information
Issues (SIG/III)-sponsored activity. The Global Plaza was created
primarily by Nadia Caidi and Michel Menou and seeks to improve
dialog, understanding and common sense about the impact of
information and communications technology on our lives and our
responsibilities as information professionals and particularly its
complex role in international development. It is a manifestation of
ASIS&Tís increasing commitment to expand the horizon and the
membership of the organization beyond the United States. SIG/III has
consistently been one of our most energetic and highly dedicated
groups and has played a large role in creating and carrying out this
agenda.

The
passion of personal scholarship and historical curiosity clearly
drives the recipient of the 2004 ASIS&T Research Award. Boyd
Rayward has been one of the most prominent scholars of the history
of information science. His description of his past and present
investigations is engaging and enlightening. Only a true explorer
could find in studying the 20th century documentation movement a
plausible reason to investigate 18th century coffee houses.

Turning
from the passion of the researcher to the passion of the student, we
have both humor and considerable wisdom from Jeanette Ezzo, one of
many grateful people who have had the benefit of studying thesaurus
construction at the University of Maryland with ASIS&T Award of
Merit recipient Dagobert Soergel. Dag had already been teaching the
course for a while when I first met him in 1972, and I feel certain
that no small percentage of ASIS&T members involved in thesaurus
construction owe their training to him or his textbooks, either
directly or through his students. Jeanetteís description of her
lessons learned from the course induces flashbacks for me to Mary
Doria Russellís inimitable character Anne Edwards in The
Sparrow Ė not
to turn literary or anything. I hope you find it as engaging as I
did.

Turning to the Society
itself, ASIS&T President Nick Belkin reviews current priorities
and programs and some concerns that have surfaced in his recent
visits to chapters. He makes a plea for broader feedback from all of
us.

Finally,
Andrew Dillon meets Blink
and doesnít.You wonít want to miss this short course in IA and the culture of
quick.